Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Holiday Eating Tips

This is too good not to share! I wish I would have thought it up, but didn't. I pirated it from Jamey Ragle.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has10,000 calories in every sip? It's a treat. Enjoy it Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy.Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass.. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's.You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read these tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

"I Never Knew I Could..."

Alright, I’ll admit it… I watch Dancing with The Stars. Whew! Glad to get that out of my closet. While Bruno is a hoot, and the professional dancers are incredible, what I like best about the show is watching the stars… talented people develop, in most cases, a new skill set. And occasionally a star finds her self.

When this season began, Kelly Osbourne, the daughter of Ozzie and Sharon, was not a person I knew much about, or even cared to know anything about. But as the drama has unfolded, she has become my favorite… I’m pulling for her to win the competition. The high point for me was when she responded to the affirmation of the judges, her partner, and the applause of the crowd with words that caused my eyes to take a shower… “I never knew I could be a lady.” Before the watching eyes of the world, she has discovered what she didn’t know that she didn’t know.

In a way, we are all like Kelly Osbourne. We have dreams, but we do not believe them to be a possibility for us. Or due to heavy doses of discouragement from people close to us, we have simply quit dreaming, thrown up our hands in frustration, and settled for something less than what we could be. What we don’t know that we don’t know is choking the very life out of us.

It doesn’t have to be this way. God created us for a purpose and He desires for us to live up to the potential He has placed within us. To do so we must change. We must allow His Spirit to coach us… to bring out of us the person God desires us to be. My friends, if we will submit ourselves to Him, there will come a day when we will say, “I never knew I could...”

Monday, November 16, 2009

Just Reminiscing...

She was the second friend that I have memory of. I met her when I was 4 or 5 years old. We lived in the same neighborhood, which was nothing more than a couple of houses on a city block. Though we had played together many times, it wasn't until a hot August day in 1967 that I realized we were the same age.... the first day of first grade.

After a couple of years, her family moved from town to their farm, but our friendship continued. Along with our other classmates, we enjoyed our days as students of Arapaho Public Schools, which all too soon segued to adulthood.

Today I received word that, after a lengthy and courageous battle, Pam Carpenter Cabiness lost her physical life to cancer. Like many of you, I knew she was ill, but didn't realize she was so close to death. I am glad we had been friends, but sad that I didn't talk with her more during the course of her illness.

She leaves behind a husband, two daughters, a son, extended family, and many friends who will no doubt greatly miss her. I can't even imagine the pain they must each feel today. So... as I reminisce I am doing the only thing I can do... I am praying for them. May the God of all comfort hug them close today and in the days and years to come.

Good bye Pam... Godspeed.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wednesday, October 7, 2009